HTTP 308 Permanent Redirect vs 404 Not Found
HTTP 308 (Permanent Redirect) is a 3xx Redirection response, while 404 (Not Found) is a 4xx Client Error response. 308 indicates that the resource has been permanently moved. Like 301, but guarantees the HTTP method will NOT be changed. In contrast, 404 means that the server cannot find the requested resource. The URL may be wrong, the resource may have been deleted, or it may never have existed.
Description
The resource has been permanently moved. Like 301, but guarantees the HTTP method will NOT be changed.
When You See It
For permanent URL changes where POST requests must remain POST.
How to Fix
Update all references to the new URL. The HTTP method is preserved.
Description
The server cannot find the requested resource. The URL may be wrong, the resource may have been deleted, or it may never have existed.
When You See It
When a URL is mistyped, a page has been deleted, or an API endpoint doesn't exist.
How to Fix
Verify the URL is correct. Check for typos, case sensitivity, and trailing slashes.
Key Differences
308 is a 3xx Redirection response, while 404 is a 4xx Client Error response.
HTTP 308: The resource has been permanently moved. Like 301, but guarantees the HTTP method will NOT be changed.
HTTP 404: The server cannot find the requested resource. The URL may be wrong, the resource may have been deleted, or it may never have existed.
You encounter 308 when for permanent URL changes where POST requests must remain POST.
You encounter 404 when when a URL is mistyped, a page has been deleted, or an API endpoint doesn't exist.
When to Use Which
For 308 (Permanent Redirect): Update all references to the new URL. The HTTP method is preserved. For 404 (Not Found): Verify the URL is correct. Check for typos, case sensitivity, and trailing slashes.